Investment Policy Monitor
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UNCTAD has been collecting information on changes in national foreign direct investment (FDI) policies on an annual basis since 1992. This collection has provided input to the analysis of global and regional investment policy trends in the World Investment Report, the Investment Policy Monitors and the UNCTAD-OECD Reports on G20 Measures.
In 2024, to further strengthen the quality of reporting, UNCTAD revised the methodology of monitoring investment policy measures. and revised the measures going back to 2012 accordingly.
The Investment Policy Monitor provides the international investment community with country-specific, up-to-date information about the latest developments in foreign investment policies.
Through its monitoring of investment policy changes, UNCTAD offers cutting-edge and innovative contributions to investment policy discourse, and contributes to preparing the ground for future policymaking in the interest of making foreign investment work for sustainable development.
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The UNCTAD's Investment Policy Monitor database include official measures affecting FDI adopted by United Nations Member States. These encompass measures explicitly targeting FDI (FDI-specific), as well as general investment measures with a clear impact on foreign investment (FDI-related). The measures are either reported directly to UNCTAD by Member States through annual surveys or identified by UNCTAD researchers through publicly accessible sources (such as government websites and specialized policy databases). The classification of measures as more or less favourable is based solely on their potential impact on investors.
Note: Measures are verified, to the fullest extent possible, by referencing government sources. The compilation of measures is not exhaustive.
Disclaimer: the boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
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- Singapore - Eases foreign work permit regulations
Singapore
Eases foreign work permit regulations
07 Mar 2025On 7 March 2025, Singapore announced changes to its Foreign Workforce Policy. The key amendments are as follows:
Extension of the M-SEP scheme. As of 1 May 2025, the Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities (M-SEP) scheme will be extended from two to three years. The scheme enables eligible firms—those that promote investment aligned with Singapore’s hub strategy, foster innovation or engage in research and development—to hire or train local employees in exchange for additional foreign workforce flexibility. Under this arrangement, firms may employ S Pass and work permit holders up to 5 per cent above their existing Dependency Ratio Ceiling, subject to a cap of 50 workers per firm.
Easing of long-term work pass restrictions. From July 2025, Singapore will abolish the maximum employment period for foreign workers, which previously ranged from 14 to 26 years depending on sector, skill level and country of origin. In addition, the maximum employment age for work permit holders will be raised from 60 to 63 years, aligning with the national retirement age.
Increase in the age limit for new work permit applicants. Also from July 2025, the maximum age for new applicants will rise from 50 to 61 years for non-Malaysians, and from 58 to 61 years for Malaysians.
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Type:
- Treatment and operation (Operational conditions )
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Industry:
- Not industry specific
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Sources:
- Ministry of Manpower, Singapore, FACTSHEET ON FOREIGN WORKFORCE POLICY ANNOUNCEMENTS AT COS 2025 , https://www.mom.gov.sg/-/media/mom/documents/budget2025/cos-2025-factsheet-on-foreign-workforce-policies.pdf, 07 Mar 2025
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UNCTAD has been collecting information on changes in national foreign direct investment (FDI) policies on an annual basis since 1992. This collection has provided input to the analysis of global and regional investment policy trends in the World Investment Report, the Investment Policy Monitors and the UNCTAD-OECD Reports on G20 Measures.
In 2024, to further strengthen the quality of reporting, UNCTAD revised the methodology of monitoring investment policy measures. and revised the measures going back to 2012 accordingly.
The Investment Policy Monitor provides the international investment community with country-specific, up-to-date information about the latest developments in foreign investment policies.
Through its monitoring of investment policy changes, UNCTAD offers cutting-edge and innovative contributions to investment policy discourse, and contributes to preparing the ground for future policymaking in the interest of making foreign investment work for sustainable development.
-
The UNCTAD's Investment Policy Monitor database include official measures affecting FDI adopted by United Nations Member States. These encompass measures explicitly targeting FDI (FDI-specific), as well as general investment measures with a clear impact on foreign investment (FDI-related). The measures are either reported directly to UNCTAD by Member States through annual surveys or identified by UNCTAD researchers through publicly accessible sources (such as government websites and specialized policy databases). The classification of measures as more or less favourable is based solely on their potential impact on investors.
Note: Measures are verified, to the fullest extent possible, by referencing government sources. The compilation of measures is not exhaustive.
Disclaimer: the boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
Share





Latest publications
